TN Stars wary of Mwase’s U-23 role

TN Stars are in dilemma over their coach Meke Mwase’s involvement in the Under-23 national football team ahead of the club’s TNM Super League preparations.

The Under-23 side will face Zambia in the joint Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and 2020 Olympic qualifier on March 20 in the first leg at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre and the return leg is slated for four days later.

One of TN Stars directors, Wisdom Chimgwede, yesterday expressed reservation on Mwase’s role in the Under-23, saying it will have an impact on the team’s preparations.

“We have concerns over his long absence. This will definitely be communicated to FAM [Football Association of Malawi] soon and we trust that they will understand our position. It also has financial implications on the team as we continue to pay him while on national team duty,” he said.

FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda said he could not comment much on the TN Stars’ concerns.

“We don’t have any formal reaction from TN Stars to our request for his [Mwase’s] leave of absence to undertake national duty,” he said.

However, football analyst George Kaudza Masina also said the arrangement affects clubs.

“FAM has not been fair to TN Stars. Most of the times that Meke Mwase is with the Under-23 side, TN Stars’ performance is always compromised.  This has also been the case with Civil Sporting Club when Franco Ndawa is with the senior national team,” he said.

Kaudza Masina said the association should consider recruiting a full-time coach rather than engaging coaches on part-time basis.

“The problem with FAM is that they are always looking for cheap labour by contracting these coaches on part-time basis to the disadvantage of their teams,” he said.

But Mwase yesterday said his involvement is good for both his career and club.

“I am learning a lot at the national team which, in turn, also benefits my club. It is good for my career development,” he said.

Be Forward Wanderers technical director Yasin Osman said the involvement of the team’s head coach Bob Mpinganjira in the Under-23 is not a problem to the team.

“Of course it’s difficult when a coach is away, but we have other personnel who can handle the team. It’s not something to worry about,” he said.